13 Ways to Maximize Your Tax Deductions Before the End of the Year

One of the most fundamental decisions to make when filing a tax return is whether to itemize deductions or to use the standard deduction. The decision tends to be a financial one: You should generally itemize your deductions on your federal form 1040, Schedule A, if your itemized deductions are more than your standard deduction. For 2010, the standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return is $11,400. The standard deduction for individual taxpayers and married couples filing separate returns is $5,700. The standard deduction for heads of household is $8,400.Some taxpayers, however, must itemize deductions because they do not qualify for the standard deduction. Those taxpayers include nonresident aliens (those who file a form 1040-NR) and dual-status aliens. Additionally, married couples filing separate returns must make the same election: if one spouse opts to itemizes deductions, the other spouse must also itemize deductions.

About two out of every three taxpayers will opt for the standard deduction. That means that tens of millions of taxpayers will choose to itemize. If you're one of those taxpayers filing a Schedule A this year, here's a quick checklist of ways to boost those deductions before December 31:

Buy Those Prescription Glasses You've Been Putting Off. The cost of items such as prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses are deductible medical expenses. If you pay for them by the end of 2010, you can deduct them on your taxes.

Go To The Dentist. Allowable medical expenses also include fees paid to doctors. Again, be sure and pay by the end of the year.

Prepay Your Taxes. You can deduct the payment of state, local and foreign income taxes, real estate taxes, personal property taxes, state and local sales taxes, and qualified motor vehicle taxes on your federal income tax return. If you're going to have to pay it in 2011 anyway, you can pay a little early and take the deduction for 2010.

Pay Your Back Taxes. Any prior year's state or local income tax you paid during the year would be deductible on your federal income taxes for 2010. Why not get those old bills out of the way and start 2011 with a clean slate?

Pay a Little Bit Extra On Your Mortgage. Mortgage interest payments (but not principal) are generally deductible. Paying it off a little faster can, in some cases, actually reduce the overall cost of your mortgage (read the fine print to be sure) and accelerates your tax deduction.

Make an Extra Student Loan Payment. Same principal as the mortgage interest payments: You might reduce the cost of your loans if you make extra payments, and you can deduct the student loan payments on your income taxes.

Pay for Tax Advice. Legal fees related to producing or collecting taxable income or getting tax advice are tax deductible -- and year-end is the best time to do tax planning.

Go to Vegas. Gambling winnings are taxable to you as income but gambling losses are deductible on Schedule A to the extent that you have income. So go ahead, roll the dice.

Pay your Professional Dues. If you're like me, you get reminders practically all year long about joining various professional organizations. If you re-up by year-end, the reminders will stop and you can take the deduction.

Pay Your Tuition in Advance. Fees for work-related education are deductible. If you're starting school in January, consider paying tuition in December to take advantage of the deduction a bit early.

Make a Payment on Your Professional Insurance. Lawyers, doctors and other professionals generally maintain malpractice insurance -- and the fees can be quite hefty. Making a payment by year-end means you can lessen the pain by claiming a deduction for 2010.

Send Out That Resume. Job search expenses may be deductible. And what better way to start the new year than with a lead on a new job?

Of course, remember that we're talking taxes here: exemptions, exceptions and limits always apply. Check with your tax professional to find out more about what may be deductible in your personal situation.

Working hard all year to help your company meet its annual goals deserves a reward, and you've definitely earned that bonus. But bonuses count toward your income for the year, so they're subject to income taxes. Read on to learn how much tax you can expect to pay on your bonus—and for tips on reducing your tax liability.

With all of the buzz about the new Tax Reform many taxpayers are questioning how this will affect their 2018 tax return. These provisions kicked in on January 1, 2018, which means that they will impact your 2018 tax return.